House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello on Tuesday outlined his proposal to eliminate the car tax over six years, asserting that "economic growth and leaner government" will enable the state to make up for an eventual loss of $220 million in revenue to cities and towns each year.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. So said Yogi Berra, and the expression seems fitting given recent news. So thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week via the twitters. Here we go.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza joins Bonus Q&A to discuss the shadow of corruption; the impact of high taxes; the outlook for the city's pension fund; whether Crimetown is good for Providence; and much more.

One day after a top lawmaker effectively killed prospects for a new PawSox stadium in the current General Assembly session, Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien said Wednesday that Rhode Island will take an economic hit if the team moves elsewhere.

Republican lawmakers and trucking industry representatives renewed their criticism of Governor Gina Raimondo's truck-toll program on Tuesday, arguing it will produce less revenue than expected and that better alternatives are available.

A number of thorny issues are maturing in time for the final weeks of the legislative session. So thanks for stopping by. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me on the twitters. Here we go.

State Rep. Blake Filippi (R-New Shoreham), the minority whip in the RI House of Representatives, joins Bonus Q&A to discuss the cost of the car tax phaseout, whether marijuana should be legalized, whether the minimum wage should be raised, how Republicans will increase their legislative ranks, and a host of other legislative issues.

In a 24-page decision released Thursday, Superior Court Presiding Justice Alice Gibney rejected Governor Gina Raimondo's request to release the grand jury records in the 38 Studios case, writing in part that "releasing documents based on mere public interest in grand jury proceedings would entirely defeat the purpose, and role, of the grand jury."

The Pawtucket Red Sox are willing to contribute $45 million to the cost of a new $73 million stadium at the Apex site in Pawtucket, with the state and the City of Pawtucket paying an initial $38 million that would be paid back over 30 years through taxes and other revenue from the development.

Governor Gina Raimondo said some cuts to human service programs are likely due to a nearly $100 million shortfall in state revenue.

"I don’t see how you get through this without some cuts to social services just because that’s so big [a part] of the budget," Raimondo said during a conversation with reporters Tuesday. "But we can’t balance this budget exclusively on the backs of the most vulnerable. We can find ways to tighten our belts, but we have to be humane about it."